Clutch-operating means.



C. EVERS & F. CAHLSSON.

CLUTCH OPERATING MEANS.

APPLICATION FILED DEC. 30, 1914. Patented NOV. 7 I 3 SHEETS-SHEET 1y jm r gri

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C. EVERS & F. CARLSSON.

CLUTCH OPERATING MEANS.

APPLxcATIoN meuosoao, 1914.

Patented Nov. 7, 19H5.

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CYRUS EVERS AND FRITIOF CARLSSON, OF NEW YORK, N. Y., ASSIGNORS TO LIDGER- WOOD MANUFACTURING COMPANY, OF NEW YORK, N. Y., A CORPORATION 0F NEW YORK.

CLUTCH-OPERATING MEANS.

Specication of Letters Patent.

Patented Nov. 1916.

Application filed December 30, 1914. Serial N o. 879,627.

To all whom t may concern.'

Be it known that we, CYRUs Evans, a citizen of the United States, and FRITioF CARLssoN, a subject of the King of Sweden, residing in New York city, borough of Brooklyn, in the county of Kings and State of New York, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Clutch-Operating Means, of which the following is a specifcation.

Our invention relates to new and useful improvements in clutch-operating means and particularly contemplates improvements in such means as is disclosed in the application of Fritiof Carlsson, one ofthe applicants herein, filed January 3, 1914, Serial No. 810,106.

In said application is shown a rotatable clutch member having cam surfaces with which coperates a controlling device to engage said cams to shift said rotatable member to engage or disengage a clutch, and our present invention has for its object to so cushion strains and shocks on said controlling device in operating said rotatable member, or resulting from the engagement of the clutch members, as to obviate undue wear, breakage, strains, or derangement of the parts.

In the preferred embodiment of our invention, hereinafter described, we accomplish the object stated by supporting said controlling device upon a yielding support so that its movements are cushioned when it is placed in engagement with said rotatable member, whereby wear between the parts or impact between the same is compensated so as to relieve the structure from undue strains.

Our invention consists in the improvements to be more fully described hereinafter and the novelty of which will be particularly pointed out and distinctly claimed.

Ve have fully and clearly illustrated va preferred embodiment of our invention in the accompanying drawings, to be .taken as a part of this specification and wherein:

Figure 1 is a view in side elevation, partly in section. Fig. 2 is' a section on the line 22 of Fig. 1. Fig. 3 is an enlarged detail view in side elevation, and partly in section ofthe clutch-operating means. Fig. 4 is an enlarged detail top plan view, partly in section, of the controlling or clutchshifting device. Fig. 5 is a section on the line 5--5 of Fig; 4. Fig. 6 is a section on the 55 line 6h6 of Fig. 4.

In order that our invention and its application mayv be fully understood, we will first briefly describe in part the construction shown in said application Serial No. 810,106, G0 the invention being shown as adapted for the setting and unsetting of a clutch for means for driving a rope capstan.

.Referring to the drawings by characters of reference, l designates a deck-plate having a vertically disposed central bearing 2 in which turns a vertical shaft 3 carrying at its upper end above the deck-plate the hub 4 of a capstan 5. The lower end of the shaft is squared, as at 6, and carries a beveled gear 7 fixed to the shaft and turning in a bearing S. The gear7 meshes with a beveled pinion 9, the hubof which revolves in a horizontally-disposed bearing 10, said gear being sleeved upon a power shaft 11 so as to permit free rotative movement between the same except when said gear is coupled to the shaft, as will be described. The beveled pinion 9 is provided at its rear end with a clutch-head 12 provided with clutch teeth 13. Mounted on the shaft 11 to one side of the clutch-head 12, and carried by the shaft, is a clutch element in the form of a sleeve 14 keyed to the shaft, as at 15, to turn therewith but capable of movement longitudinally thereof between the clutch-head 12 and a stop collar 16 on the shaft at the opposite end of said sleeve 14 from the clutch-head 12. The sleeve 14 is provided, at its end adjacent the clutchhead 12, with clutch teeth 17 adapted to cooperate with the teeth 13, heretofore described, to clutch the beveled pinion 9 to the driving shaft when said sleeve and gear are connected, as shown in Figs. 1 and 3. The element 14 is provided on its opposite ends with oppositely-inclined cam surfaces 18, 19, adapted to be engaged alternately by a controlling device to cause the power exerted by the power shaft to force said sleeve longitudinally of the shaft to connect it with the beveled pinion 9 or disconnect it therefrom. This controlling device preferably consists of a rocking element 20 in the form of a hollow body or sleeve 21 mounted on a rock-shaft 22, said element Yio having oppositely disposed fingers 23, 24, which, when the said element is rocked, as

hereinafter described, are respectively adapted to be moved into position to be engaged by the cam VVincline's 18, 19. The rock shaft is mounted at its ends toV rock in suitable braoket-arins 25, preferably formingV part of a'lianger 26 supported from the tlecleplate, `although other means may be provided for supporting said shaft, if desired. The bore Vof the body 21 is substantially elliptical in cross-section, as appears more clearly from Figs. 3, 4, 5 and 6, being at one axis of greater diameter than the diameter ofthe cylindrical shaft and at the other or smaller axis of such diameter as to closely Vfit said shaft, so that said element may inove'in one direction transversely of the shaft relative to the latter. i

The rock shaft is formed on oneside with a iattened face 27 adapted to be engaged by the end of a fastening screw 2S threaded through opening 28 in the body of said controlling element whereby the said element is connected to the shaft 22 to rockwithin these'chambeis 29, 29, are helical springs 31, 31, one in each chamber, said springs extending longitudinally of said chambers andl having their respective ends abutting said plugs 30, 30, and one side of v the sha-ft 22, and exerting their forces expansively against said plugs and shaft to holdk the shifting element with one end of its elliptical bore seated against the shaft whereby movement of said element Y transversely of said shaft will be cushioned.

'lVe"'p`i eferably provide the inner end of V\ach spring with a plunger-head having a fiat face seated against a flat face 34 on said rock-shaft, said flat faces 34 being on opposite sides of the face 27 and lying in a plane at right-angles to said face.

Rigidly connected to one end of the rock shaft 22 is a lever arml the free end ofV which is seated in opening 3G Yin the lower end cfa vertical recipiocable pedalplunger 97 guided in a bracket 88 supported from the deck-plate, the upper end of said pedal plunger projecting upward through Va Ysleeve in Ythe deck-plate and having at itsuppeiY end a: pedal head 39 adapted to be engaged by the foot of an operator and thereby de-v pressed to rock said shaft 22 in one direc-V tion-thiat is, in the direction to throw the finger 23 in the path of movement Yof the cam incline V18 to'v cause'the sleeve 14 to be moved lengthwise ofthe shaft 22 in a directionV to connect the clutch teeth 1T with the clutch teeth 13on the beveled pinion 9. The pedal plunger, at a point above the plate 1, may be provided with a locking .i v

flange 4l adapted to be engaged by a locking detent 42 Vpivoted on a pin 43 mounted on the plate 1. rlhis detent is provided with a foot-piece44 to be engaged bythe foot of the operatoi'rto throw the detent out of engagement withthe pedal'plunger. Y As long as the pedal plunger is depressed the finger 23 will be heldin'position to hold the elements 14 and 9 in driving relation. @n theA roel; shaft and extending i-n the opposite direction from the lever 35 is aV lever 45 carrying an adjustable Vweight 4G, Vsaid weight (and lever operatingwhen the pedal plungerjis released to rock the controlling deviceY to raise the linger 23' and lower VYthe be engaged by the cam 19 tov eausethe element 14to be moved away from the beveledV pinion 9'V and thereby disconnect the clutch teeth between said elements.` Y L It will be seen that, when the controlling device'20 is rocked tothrow the finger-23 into position tobe engaged by the cam 18, the engagement of said cam with said linger `iinl'ger 24, so 'that the latteris inV position to Y will be cushioned by the springs 31, 31,'to Y such an extent as to permit movementV of the controllingmember relative to its shaft,

and thereby Vprevent -unduegwear of;V said'- iinger, or breakage thereof, as well Vas Vundue strains upon the roclcshaft '22,:its' bearings, and support. It will be understood, however, Vthat the springs'areVmade VYstrong enough soV that they cannotV bercoinpressed to such anV extent' as toperrnit the controlling device to be moved onthe shaft to such a degree as notV toprovide proper engagement between the finger 23 and the cam'lS to shift the rotatable member 14 to properly engage-fthe clutch-teeth 133 andY 17. Thisv yield-able mounting for Vthe shifting device prevents derangement of parts due to the jars result-ing from engagement ofthe said clutch-teeth, particularly when'the engagement initially takes place between the clutch faces proper before the element 14 lhas been l shifted the full'extent of itsmovement in clutch-setting direction; that is, the engagement of the high parts of the clutch teeth. f

lt .is believed the operation of the inven# tion Vwill be apparent from the aboveV deings, butitmay be briefly set forth as fol-V lows g lVhen Vit Vis desiredto set theclutch,l th'efoperator `depr'esses theV Vpedal plunger which operates to rockVV the element 2O.V tov move the finger 23 into the path of rotation of the cam-18,'vvherebythe power exerted by.

Yscription taken in connection with the draw i the rotation of the shaft will cause the engagement of said cam with said finger to shift the element 14 lengthwise of the shaft to engage the clutch teeth 13 and 1i', whereby said pinion 9 is driven. It will be understood that, in the event the clutch teeth should not be in proper position to completely engage and the high points of the teeth should lock, even momentarily, the force exerted by the cam striking the finger 23 will be cushioned, due to the relative movement between the controlling device and the shaft 22 so that said device, the shaft 22 and the parts supporting the same, will be relieved of such excess strain as might derange the parts or cause breakage. `When the clutch parts are to be disengaged, the pedal plunger is released to permit the weight 40 to swing the controlling device 2O to raise the finger 23 and lower the linger 2l so that the latter is in the path of the cam 19 on the member 14, whereby the engagement of said cam with said finger throws the member 14 lengthwise of the shaft to disengage the teeth 13 and 17.

`We have herein illustrated and described the clutch teeth 17 as formed integrally with the sleeve 14: keyed to shaft 1l. However, in practice it may be found convenient to form the said clutch teeth 17 on a ring or sleeve independent of sleeve 14. Such a change is within the spirit of the invention. It will also be understood that the invention is not confined to those devices known as jaw clutches, but is applicable also to friction clutches.

What we claim and desire to secure by Letters latent of the United States is :f-

1. In combination, a shaft., clutch mem' bers one of which is mounted on said shaft for movement toward and away from the other, a cam incline on said movable clutchmember, a rocking member adapted to engage said incline to move the said movable clutch-member, `and means for cushioning said rocking member.

2. In combination7 a shaft, clutch membersone of which is mounted on said shaft for movement toward and away from the other, a cam incline on said movable clutchmember, a rocking member adapted to engage said incline to move the said movable clutch-member, and a cushioned support for said rocking member.

3. In, combination, a shaft, clutch members one of which is mounted on said shaft for movement toward and away from the other, a cam incline on said movable clutchmember, a rocking member adapted to en-V gage said incline to move the said movable clutch-member, a rock shaft upon which said rocking member is movably mounted, and cushioning means between said rock shaft and rocking member.

In combination, a shaft, clutch members one of which is mounted on said shaft for movement toward and away from the other, a cam incline on said movable clutchmember, a rocking member adapted to engage said incline to move the said movable clutch member, and a rock shaft upon which said rocking member is mounted for movement relative thereto under strain.

5. In combination, a shaft, clutch members one of which is mounted on said shaft for movement toward and away from the other, a cam incline on said movable clutchmember, a rocking member adapted to engage said incline tomove the said movable clutch-member, a rock shaft upon which said rocking member is mounted for movement relative thereto under strain, and a spring between said rock shaft and rocking member to cushion the latter.

6. In combination, a shaft, clutch members one of which is mounted on said shaft for movement toward and away from the other, a cam incline on said movable clutchmember, a rocking member adapted to engage said incline to move the said movable clutch-member, a rock shaft upon which said rocking member is mounted to rock and for movement transversely of said rock shaft, and a spring' between said rock shaft and rocking member.

7. In combination, a shaft, clutch members one of which is mounted on said shaft for movement toward and away from the other, a cam incline on said movable clutchmember, and a yieldingly mounted member adapted to engage said incline to move the said movable clutch-member.

8. In combination, a shaft, clutch members one of which is mounted on said shaft for movement toward and away from the other, a cam incline on said movable clutchmember, a yieldingly mounted member adapted to engage said incline to move the said movable clutch member, a shaft for moving` said engaging member, and a cushion between the latter and said shaft.

9. In combination, a shaft, clutch members one of which is mounted on said shaft for movement toward and away from the other, a cam incline on said movable clutchmember, a rock shaft, a member thereon to be rocked to engage said cam incline, said member having movement transversely of said shaft, a chamber in said member and a cushion in said chamber between said member and rock shaft.

10. In combination, a shaft, clutch members one of which is mounted on said shaft for movement toward and away from the other, a cam incline on said movable clutchmember, a rock shaft, a member thereon to be rocked to engage said cam incline, said member having movement transversely of said shaft, a chamber in said member, a cushion in said chamber between said member and rock shaft, and a fastening device extending through said member and siidably engaging said rook shaft and seated at one end on a fiat face on said rock shaft.

l2. n combination, a shaft, clutch members one of which 1s mounted on said shaft Copies ofrths patent may be obtained for ve cents each, `by addressing the Commissioner of Patents. Y

for movement toward and away from the other, a Cam incline on said movable clutch 2e said shaft, chambers on the opposite end portions of said member, and a spring 1n each chamber between said member and rook shaft. Y Y a In testlmony whereof live have hereunto signed our names in the presence of Vthe subscribing Witnesses. 'v

CYRUS EVER-S. Y FRITIOF CARLSSON. Witnesses:

THOMAS S. MARTIN, EDWD. F. BATES.

Washington, D. C, 

